Frank Seravalli

Daily News Staff Writer

Before Brendan Shanahan even gets to his scheduled hearings with Penguins forwards James Neal and Arron Asham, this much we know:

Pittsburgh will be without forward Craig Adams for Game 4 and coach Dan Bylsma's pockets will be a little lighter.

Adams was suspended one game on Monday, a mandatory suspension as per NHL rules for being handed an instigator penalty in the waning moments of Game 3. The rules (46.12, 46.22) stipulate that a player receives an automatic suspension for an instigator call with under five minutes to play in regulation or in overtime.

It's the NHL's way to try and curb games from getting out of hand late.

It didn't work on Sunday.

Bylsma was fined $10,000, also an automatic penalty, since coaches are supposed to be in control of players late in games. His fine money will go to the NHL Foundation.

Adams was simply caught in the middle. He was forced to clean up for Sidney Crosby's dirty business, once Crosby grabbed Scott Hartnell by the back of his jersey and tried to tangle. Adams needed to step in since Crosby does not normally fight. Now, it has cost him a playoff game.

Neal and Asham are scheduled for hearings on Tuesday. Asham's is of the "in person" variety, meaning that he will need to be seen in person by Shanahan at the league's New York headquarters.